EdTech Think Tank Webinars 2023

The use of technology dramatically increased in all sectors over the past ten years. Today every organization must utilize applications, systems and automated processes. Changing trends in education, the impacts of the pandemic and improving student and parent experience are reasons why K-12s must adopt technology solutions to remain competitive and optimally support students. K-12 school districts have to deliver what students, parents and faculty expect from a modern institution. Join an interactive discussion with K-12 school district leadership panel members who will discuss how they are meeting the challenges of online learning and the mobile workforce.

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, mobile devices are here to stay. Many educational institutions support web portals and mobile apps to improve student service, but student demands and expectations mean these online tools have to be smarter and usable. Mobile apps and AI chatbots are evolving and more frequently used together. Students expect intuitive engagement and personalization from mobile apps, similar to what they experience with banking, healthcare, retail and social apps. In this month’s EdTalk join us to talk with two schools who use mobile apps and chatbots to improve student experience, service and support and create efficiency in a time of limited resources.

Educause is a premier nonprofit association in the United States with the mission to advance higher education using information technology. It is one of the largest and most influential associations with thousands of members. Educause helps leaders, managers and those who deploy technology to anticipate and adapt to change in the higher education sector. The impact of the pandemic has changed the way education professionals attend conferences. With lower in person attendance and more virtual registrations how will this affect thought leadership, professional networking and future goals? Join Campus Consortium live from the location of Educause Conference 2021 in Philadelphia, PA, as we host a higher education panel discussion to provide attendees with thought leadership, finding value in virtual events and explore this year’s Educause themes of transformation, resilience and common good.

Student data, information and workflows are disconnected and distributed throughout campuses. By bringing together systems and applications through a process called integration, institutions can break down data silos, improve connectivity, save money, optimize work flow and optimize business processes. This EdTalk features a panel of higher ed leaders and integration vendors who discuss experiences, challenges, projects and the fundamentals of creating a user friendly and powerful source of knowledge to attract and retain students.

Limited classrooms, the pandemic, changing student expectations, social distancing, working from home, Hyflex, Hybrid, these are just some of the terms we heard and experienced since the COVID pandemic affected education in 2020. Since then, it seems there is no turning back and flexibility, agility and adjustment to new working and learning environments is a way of life. How have institutions adapted to a blend of remote and on ground Instruction and work environments? Join us as we present a panel of higher education leaders and technology practitioners who discuss the challenges and successes of addressing permanent changes in how we learn and work.

The pandemic disrupted student, faculty and staff lives with unfamiliar and unpredictable change, added responsibilities and requires flexibility as we navigate new ways of learning and working in a rapidly evolving digital culture. This makes it difficult to stay engaged and retain students. Digital awareness is essential as we modify traditional approaches and produce adaptable environments. Join us as we discuss these issues with a panel of educators and IT leaders from educational institutions. We will review teaching and learning strategies, usable and flexible environments and sustainable cloud services that effectively change the way we behave, think and communicate.

The education sector faces financial challenges that make it difficult for institutions to fulfill their mission and prepare students for the future. Finance leaders who balance budgets in this disruptive environment must also justify their institution’s value proposition to students. Meanwhile, technology is impacting every industry and profession, changing skill sets and requiring continuous learning. Join a panel of education financial leaders and two associations of college and university business officers (CACUBO and WACUBO) as we discuss lessons learned and shared experiences.

Like buildings on campus, students, faculty and staff use an institution’s communication resources in a variety of ways for teaching, learning and services. On campus or online telecommunications infrastructure is often created in portions over time resulting in varying usability, useful life, efficiency, and capability to meet the needs of education missions and operations. Campuses rely on these essential communication systems but evaluating, upgrading or changing systems to improve service and efficiency is often avoided due to expense and the fear of interrupting campus operations. Hear from a panel of education leaders and telecommunication experts how institutions can save money, resources and improve technology and services.

Technology has been a powerful tool for transforming learning. It can help affirm and advance relationships between educators and students, reinvent our approaches to learning and collaboration and address accessibility needs. Educational institutions may think digital classrooms and online technologies are equitable but they are not. Many of the products, systems and applications were not designed for diverse populations and that leaves underserved groups at a disadvantage. Many students do not have the resources, equipment or training to access online learning or student services. Some students are on academic probation or dropped from a program because they cannot access the internet. Join this EdTalk webinar as we host a panel of multicultural and DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) education experts and leaders who will discuss current challenges in education and simple solutions to make immediate and positive change.

A growing digital culture, the war in Ukraine, increasing threats and a vulnerable population of minors means school districts are at risk and must take steps to protect students, parents, teachers and staff. Hundreds of public cybersecurity incidents affected over 150 K-12 school districts in more than 38 states last year and these figures do not include nonpublic incidents. Since IT security is a growing concern for the K-12 sector, the federal government passed the K-12 Cybersecurity Act in 2021 to provide security insight, assessment, recommendations and best practices. Time, expertise and funding limit the extent of protection a district can provide its community. Join this month’s interactive EdTalk webinar as we host a panel of K-12 district leaders who will share how they addressed security issues and protect their institutions.

Today’s digital dependent academic culture requires these essentials: effortless collaboration; usability; flexibility; and secure access for students, faculty and staff. This month’s EdTalk webinar features a panel of education leaders and experts who discuss an online collaboration platform that is rapidly growing in Higher Education called “Google Workspace for Education.” Google Workspace has been adopted by hundreds of colleges and universities because it offers powerful features and benefits including: easy and secure document collaboration; email; calendar management; and teaching and learning tools. Join us in an informative, interactive and insightful discussion. Sponsored by CDW Amplified for Education.

Join this webinar to hear from higher education and K-12 institution who recognize the importance of change to ensure their schools are relevant for students and society. Panelists discuss how they can provide affordable, usable and low maintenance solutions to automate daily operations, protect people and data and introduce innovation. Other topics include forecasting the future of education and technology for 2023 and beyond.